Role Of Linezolid As An Adjuvant In Prevention Of Post-Traumatic Endophthalmitis

Post-traumatic infectious endophthalmitis is an uncommon, severe complication of ocular trauma. The risk of infection in trauma is significantly high as bacteria inadvertently gain entry into the eye during injury. This justifies the administration of prophylactic antibiotics in cases of open globe injury. The few antibiotics that may achieve therapeutic concentrations in the aqueous and vitreous following systemic administration have mostly Gram negative activity, and cannot reliably treat the Gram positive organisms most frequently implicated in post-traumatic endophthalmitis. The aim of the work was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of linezolid as an adjuvant to intravenous antibiotic in prevention of post-traumatic endophthalmitis. This study was performed on 60 patients with open globe injury attended to emergency eye services of ophthalmology department, zagazig university hospitals in the period between 1/6/2011 till 1/3/2012. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group I patients were given Linezolid 600 mg tab twice daily for 5 days. Group II patients didn’t receive linezolid. However all patients received I.V. antibiotics for a 3-5 days. Careful history taking done to all patients regarding the cause and circumstances of injury. Full ophthalmological examination (when ever possible) was done to all patients. The extent of wound was documented according to The Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System (BETTS). The presence of iris prolapse, lens disruption, vitreous in wound, hyphema and posterior segment complications, if any, were specifically documented. CT scan with thin cuts (1.5-2mm) through the orbit is performed to all cases to rule out any retained intra ocular foreign body and associated orbital fractures. Surgical repair was .